Perpetual cops NCAA women's volley crown

MANILA, Philippines - University of Perpetual Help System Dalta captured the women’s championship and turned in a pair of runner-up finishes in the men’s and juniors categories in the 87th NCAA beach volleyball tournament at the La Salle-Greenhills sand court over the weekend.

Norie Jane Diaz and April Anne Sartin rallied from 0-5 down in the third and deciding set to turn back Letran’s Gena Keeshia Andaya and Marinelle Jane Carolino, 21-18, 18-21, 15-12, and complete a three-peat feat.

Sartin went on to bag the MVP honors for her sterling effort while Perpetual Help coach Michael Rafael won the best coach award.

“I must admit we felt the pressure when we were down 0-5 but I kept prodding myself and my partner to just focus and open the communication line, which we did,” said Sartin, who is on her third season with the Las Pinas-based school.

Perpetual’s high school team of Kin Harold Dayadante, Jherald Martinez and Chris Soriano, however, fell short of their title retention bid as it bowed to Emilio Aguinaldo’s Jopet Movido, Jerrus Moya and Denzel Rasing, 21-19, 15-21, 10-15.

Jay dela Cruz, Marcelo Joaquin and Sandy Domenick Montero of Perpetual also fell to Arellano U’s Jophius Christian Banang, John Carlo Lozada and Chris Salvador, 21-13, 18-21.

“The school is proud of their accomplishments, we’ll try again next season,” said league president and Policy Board chair Anthony Tamayo of host Perpetual.